COVID-19 has had a profound impact on every health care system, health plan, and provider in the U.S. It is essential for health care leaders to start planning their systems’ recovery now, in parallel with responding to the crisis. Economically, the health care industry will be one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. Not only did hospitals intentionally shut off much of their most profitable business to fight COVID-19, but they are likely to face serious consumer resistance in the future, driven by fear of the virus and general economic insecurity. In addition, there are early signs that the pandemic is likely to change permanently some of the ways health care is delivered, organized, and financed.
Now is the time to begin planning for recovery and rebuilding. It is essential to start developing strategies and contingency plans to restore operations, rebuild patient confidence and loyalty, and strengthen partnerships with physicians, suppliers, and payers as soon as possible to avoid an extended financial debacle.
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